Eating Our Way Around the World

This weekend we went to an Ethnic Enrichment Festival, an outdoor festival celebrating the many cultures represented in America. They had food from all over the world, dancing and singing, and booths where you could learn about the cultures and buy traditional items from each place. We learned a bit, but mostly, we walked around and ate.

We thought for sure Anna would be anxious to have food from home, but she chose a doner kebob from the Turkey stand. I got an Israel sampler plate with hummus, pita bread, falafel, and a kosher pickle. Eric and the boys had jumbo hot dogs from the Italy stand. Go figure.

It was a fun time, and I actually wish I could go back and have more food! But in all seriousness, it was neat to be reminded how diverse our American culture is. When we're just going about our day-to-day business, we kind of forget about the cultures that make up our heritage, so it was nice to have the festival to remind us to celebrate our differences.

Not the greatest shot, but it gives an idea of what the stands look like.

Ellis as a geisha. 

Sharing a green tea popsicle from Japan.

Ellis drinking a lemonade the size of his face!

Roadtrip

Sunday morning, we loaded everyone up in the car and set off for our annual road trip down south for the Baker Creek Spring Planting Festival. We've gone for the last four years, and now we've been when the weather felt like July (last year) and January. It was a bit chilly and raining at times, but we still had a great time. It's definitely our favorite trip of the year.

Ollie in the photo wall. This scene from last year still makes me chuckle.

Planting Festival - Part II

When we'd walked around in the 90-degree heat, looking at odd birds and heirloom plans for a few hours, we decided to head over to the restaurant in the village.  It's an adorable, quaint little restaurant with a pianist in the corner.  Even more amazingly, the restaurant runs on donations.  They offer one dish and two drink options, and then you make a donation on the way out if you're able or compelled.  Did I mention it's a vegetarian restaurant?  So pretty much, this was the best day of my life!  I ate my plate of fried rice, most of Ellis', and 6 dumplings!  (Remember that Chris Farley SNL skit where he says, "Lay off me, I'm STARVING!"  In our house, it goes like this: "Lay off me, I'm NURSING!")

After we (I) ate, we sat in the barn to enjoy a little music.  It was a really wonderful day.  Eric and I were both so happy to have a little trip with our family.  I just tried to soak it up, all day long.